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Instagram’s alters on mental health

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Instagram’s alters on mental health

The possibility of Instagram removing the “likes” feature to “improve the emotional and mental health of users,” have been stated by the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, for a few years now but became true for some users on March 2, as Instagram accidentally added more users than intended to test out the feature. 

Some users were alarmed by the unexpected update and expressed their frustrations, but Mosseri quickly apologized on Twitter and said, “We unintentionally launched our test to hide likes to more people today. Our apologies.”

Improving the emotional and mental health of users has been a goal for Mosseri with Instagram as he explained in an interview with WIRED magazine in 2019.  

Validation from others is a common emotional and mental problem users face on Instagram. Recent CSULB graduate, Miguel Martinez, has dealt with these issues in the past.

“It’s easy to gain insecurities by looking at people with a lavish lifestyle, but the problem is that it’s more often fabricated than it’s not. Getting rid of the likes is the right step into (a positive) direction,” said Martinez.

According to Long Beach City College sociology professor, Karyn Daniels, the problem lies with entertainment being on demand now and the rush of dopamine that results from it. 

Professor Daniels said, “Our brains crave novelty but we used to have to work for that novelty like reading, or thinking of something … Now you can scroll through pictures and begin to develop a dopamine addiction from that.”

Instagram and social media have changed the way we socially interact and while there are some benefits to it there are negative aspects as well.

Nick Carbonaro, a digital and social media professor at LBCC, believes Instagram is a double edged sword when it comes down to socially interacting with each other.

Carbonaro said, “(Instagram) does have a good aspect to it … You can tailor your feed to what you want to see and it’s direct to consumers.”

Instagram incorporated hashtags to the platform and it helps users find content relevant to the tags.

“There’s also a negative aspect … because you’re so highly tuned to your stuff you don’t know what’s going on in the outside world,” Carbonero said.

Instagram has shifted the way we socially interact with each other and last year the app reached one billion global users. With changes slowly being introduced and the app constantly evolving, mental health is a frequent problem within the app that should be acknowledged.

The Queen Mary gets its own horror trilogy

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The Queen Mary gets its own horror trilogy

“We all know how amazing James Cameron did with Titanic but to really learn that the real unsinkable (ship) was the Queen Mary and not the Titanic, was really captivating,” said Brett Tomberlin, producer of the newly announced Queen Mary movie that has begun filming in Long Beach.

Titled The Queen Mary, the film is the first of three and while the plot has yet to be revealed, the trilogy will focus on the history and supernatural tales of the ship.

The RMS Queen Mary was a British ocean liner that sailed from 1936 to 1967. According to the ship’s website, the ship was a pivotal role in the allied forces victory in the Second World War since the Queen Mary hauled up to 15,000 troops.

The ship has been docked in Long Beach since 1967 and has been reported to be haunted by visitors and guests.

Charlotte Alexander, a former worker on the Queen Mary did not encounter any supernatural experiences working there but has met employees that have.

Alexander said, “A lot of people who work there have said they had supernatural experiences. It didn’t really happen to me but I know a lot of coworkers who said they felt chills when they walked through the boat.”

According to Tomberlin, the horror film will also deal with ghosts on the ship.

“We wanted some of the ghosts in the film to feel like they were watching over conversations,” said Tomberlin. 

The decision to film a trilogy rather than one film is to explore a story that can be told across different time periods and settings.

“What made it obvious that we had to make this a trilogy is the ability to tell this story across different kinds of settings. Whether it be the start of the Queen Mary being built, right before the war or even present day,” said Tomberlin.

Tomberlin explained that the infamous first class swimming pool will be used in the movie as a portal to travel to the other side. The other side refers to the unknown realm of where ones’ soul goes after death. 

The film has been in the works for a decade and the legal complications were crucial since the ship has had different owners throughout the years.

“A lot of parties have owned the Queen Mary, from the Garrison Group and the Walt Disney Company at one point,” said Tomberlin.

In 1988, the Walt Disney Company acquired the ship after buying the Disney Hotel back from businessman Jack Wrather, who owned the hotel and Queen Mary at the time.

“Who’s making sure all those old owners have relinquished all rights in all media? That was a challenge,” said Tomberlin.

According to Tomberlin, the pandemic has added to their decade of development as there have been complications getting funding.

“In order to be as safe as possible, you have to have your COVID insurance and unfortunately the state of California and the people who oversee the tax credit film commission are not the sharpest tools in the shed,” said Tomberlin. 

The California Film Commission provides tax credits for eligible productions that are produced in California.

Tomberlin has had to seek this funding internationally.

“In the last 30-40 years, they have not come to discover a way to keep productions in California, so we had to seek COVID coverage and tax credits from the UK. It’s shameful,” said Tomberlin.

The film will also take place and shoot overseas in London.

Tomberlin said, “It’s very shameful that a landmark like the Queen Mary can’t get support from their own state of California, of which the Queen Mary drives many visitors to the actual ship and brings revenue to the city.”

While critical of the California Film Commission, Tomberlin has been actively working with the city of Long Beach. He said, “The city has been nothing but supportive through the whole entire thing, the mayor has been absolutely amazing but the Film Commission is an embarrassment.”

Production has begun in Long Beach and digital scans of the ship have been produced to use on four story LED screens. 

“Some of the shoots we are doing are impossible to do on the ship because we don’t want to damage it … We have LIDAR scanned the ship and we’re going to put those backdrops on these huge four story LED screens and add set extensions,” Tomberlin said.

The biggest challenge for the film according to Tomberlin is to not make a cheesy horror film.

Tomberlin said, “I think the biggest challenge in a way is educating (the audience) that this is a true story. It isn’t a bunch of writers who just made something up, it’s a location that you can go and visit, and I think that’s what makes it actually terrifying.”

The Queen Mary has been closed throughout 2020 and has yet to be announced for a reopening.

“We’re not looking for cheap scares … that’s why we’ve taken our time all these years to make sure we get it right,” said Tomberlin.

Frosted Cupcakery talks pandemic recovery

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Frosted Cupcakery talks pandemic recovery

In the past year, Frosted Cupcakery has made numerous changes to store procedures such as partnering with delivery apps and limiting open hours. But as Long Beach moves forward with COVID-19 recovery, this business is enthusiastic to see a livelier Belmont Shore. 

Frosted is a locally owned business on 2nd Street in Long Beach that specializes in the making and decorating of cupcakes. Five years ago, the company opened up a second store in Huntington Beach. 

Stacia Samartan is the general manager and co-owner of Frosted. She claims that the pandemic has affected both stores, but in slightly varying manners. For one, the Huntington Beach location was forced to close twice while the 2nd Street store was able to remain open but with less hours. 

“People were quarantining and we had the Safer at Home orders in place. So we had to close earlier for a while just because people weren’t out as much,” said Samartan.

However, a big financial adjustment that the company has seen is in the online delivery apps. Before the pandemic, Frosted had only partnered with Postmates. Now, their cupcakes can also be found on UberEats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. 

“When we have sales through those apps, they do take a percentage of our profit,” said Samartan. “But now, we’re able to reach more people who maybe haven’t tried us yet or weren’t comfortable with being outside, so that definitely helps us sustain our business and helps people be able to still enjoy our product.”    

Samartan recalls that last year she saw a lot of controversy centering around the ethics of using third-party delivery services. Many people urged others to refrain from ordering off of these apps because they take a significant portion of businesses’ final profits. 

But as a local store owner herself, Samartan views the situation in a different light. 

“That stuff is true but if that means you’re not going to order at all, then I would much rather you just go ahead and order from the apps,” said Samartan. 

More recently, as of April 1, Long Beach has entered the Orange Tier when it comes to COVID-19 recovery. The most notable aspect of this transition is that limited indoor seating has become allowed in all restaurants, as long as capacity is regulated at a maximum of 50%. 

Yet, Frosted still remains closed to indoor dining. Samartan claims that because the dimensions of the Belmont Shore store are quite compact as it is, having only one or two tables opened out of four would be unrealistic for her employees to manage while also trying to keep everyone safe.  

Nevertheless, the loosening of COVID-19 rules in Long Beach still had a beneficial impact on Frosted’s business in terms of foot traffic. 

“The street is busier again,” said Samartan. “There was a time when even outdoor dining was restricted and that was really hard … So we find it’s just really great that more people are coming around.”   

Elijah Park is a customer who often frequented 2nd Street before the pandemic. Similar to Samartan, he is very excited to be able to return to a livelier Belmont Shore.  

“I’ll get what I can take really,” said Park. “I know that this still isn’t normal but it’s definitely something … And most people seem to be pretty good about wearing their masks so I don’t see any problems.”

Despite experiencing financial loss and being forced to quickly make drastic business transformations, Samartan is grateful that Frosted has continued to provide service. 

“There’s really just been so many small businesses that haven’t made it through the other side of all of this and it’s sad,” said Samartan. “This has been such an interesting and challenging situation but I also think there’s so many benefits to reevaluating our business.” 

As the reopening plan in Long Beach continues, local businesses like Frosted, as well as the community, have a lot to look forward to. 

Housing resources can be found at LBCC

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Housing resources can be found at LBCC

Students facing housing insecurity and homlessness can find help through the Basic Needs program at Long Beach City College. 

The Basic Needs Program addresses housing insecurities, offers free groceries through the Viking Vault, helps with the application process for CalFresh and more.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were already homeless and housing insecure students and with the pandemic the number of students has risen, according to The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice.

The eligibility requirements for housing help are to be enrolled in six units and in good academic standing. 

“Do not let the minimum requirements discourage you from contacting us because even if you’re not eligible we still have community resources that may help,” said Justin Mendez, Basic Needs Program manager.

Most recently the program was given a grant that can help students who are behind on rent and students who are experiencing homelessness. 

“I’m so grateful that as a MSW and LBCC’s Basic Needs Coordinator, I am able to provide students with the same types of resources I, myself, used when I was a community college student and throughout my graduate school experience. As a single mother of three, I know how hard it is to make it through school with limited resources and competing needs. I am very transparent about my own journey and I hope that helps students know they are not alone,” said Dianka Lohay, Master Social Worker and Basic Needs Coordinator.

“It’s okay for students to ask for help. The only way for us to help you is if you reach out,” said Mendez. 

The housing program works with CalWORKs, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) students as well.

Another housing resource is a direct housing help through the Basic Needs Program with Hoveness partnership. The requirements for eligibility are that students need to be enrolled in nine units and have completed nine units. This is subject to change because of the recent pandemic.

If students do not qualify for the program there is still help available. The program can connect you to other resources in the community. 

There is the emergency CARES fund for students who need emergency assistance. It provides an additional grant. The only requirements are that students are in need and you can apply for the grant through the LBCC website.

“There is no shame in asking for help because there are so many students struggling right now. You are not alone,” said Mendez.

Students who use their cars as homes may also get the chance to safely park on their community college campus according to California Legislative Information Assembly Bill number 302. 

This bill has been amended four times prior with its most recent amendment stating July 1, 2021 as an effective start date. There are restrictions to the bill and to which colleges are eligible to allow students to safely park on campus overnight.

Other than the Basic Needs Program, there is the Helping Homeless Students Group who works with the Basic Needs Program. The group is a resource for the program and can help students who are homeless.
To contact the program email basicneeds@lbcc.edu or call (562) 938-5054. Use the link to access the Student Resource Guide.

Opinion: Students should attend community college before university

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Opinion: Students should attend community college before university

Deciding on where to attend college is a huge decision for students to make. There are a lot of different factors to take into consideration regarding what to study, cost, and place of living. For this reason students should go to a community college first before transferring to a four year university.

For many students, they feel the pressure of their family and peers of getting accepted into the best universities. While the thought of going to a community college is not considered.

However going to a community college first is the best option for most students coming out of high school.

For one, community college is the best time and place for a student to explore their options for different areas of study. They have the flexibility to try different courses to see what each major has to offer without feeling the pressure of having to meet a deadline.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “About one-third of students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs changed majors.” This can often delay a student in a four year university to graduating on time, whereas a student who went to a community college first and explored their options has a clear idea of what they want to pursue.

The majority of college freshmen are 18 years old and still figuring out the world, what they want to study and pursue for a career. It is expected for people to change and mature from who they were in high school. We can’t expect 18 year old students to decide what they want to do as a career for the rest of their lives.

Another factor that can weigh on a student is the cost of the school they are attending. 

The average annual cost of tuition alone at a four year university is $25,362 according to Education Data, a research organization, while the tuition at a community college such as Long Beach City College is $1,472.

While many students are eligible for financial aid, they might not get enough to cover their tuition, fees, and living. 

By going to a community college for two years before transferring, a student could save on average around $47,780 in tuition fees. 

Along with tuition fees that students have to pay, students also have to take into consideration the cost of living and where to live. 

The average cost of room and board at a four year university is $10,216 according to Education Data. While if you attend the community college in your hometown and live at home with your family, you will be saving money.

While students may be concerned with having the full ‘college experience’ by living on campus and having freedom that they would not have living with family, there are different ways that students can get that experience in community college.

For one, there are many clubs that students can join and make friends that share similar interests. Students can also attend the many events that the school has to offer. 

In the end, with the ongoing pandemic that we are currently living in, students are going to be staying at home and unable to attend school in-person, so attending a community college is the perfect time to experience different fields of study and to save money. 

LBCC holds Gender and Sexuality in the Jazz Age Event

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LBCC holds Gender and Sexuality in the Jazz Age Event

In honor of Women’s History Month, professors hosted an event called Gender and Sexuality where they discussed women in the 1920’s and the parallels to be looked at when discussing that time period vs. the current.

Professor Vanessa Crispin-Peralta and Professor Sean Dinces from the history department at LBCC hosted the event via Zoom. 

Dinces discussed advertisements and their evolution from WWI into the 1920’s and how ads mainstreamed the idea of women’s independence. Crispin-Peralta discussed sexuality and how that idea was played within the 20’s. As well as women who defied gender norms of the day, using Gladys Bentley as her prime example. 

Crispin-Peralta has been part of the Women’s History Month development at LBCC for the past 3 years. When trying to think about a topic to discuss as an event, she was inspired by looking at what was going on 100 years ago and noticing the parallels between then and now. She said, “I was like ‘Wow if we have this moment in the past 100 years ago, could that teach us something about where we’re going’?”

Dinces’ emphasis is more on the business side, so he took that expertise and was able to put his own spin on the topic being discussed by focusing on women in advertising. 

In regard to his research, Dinces said, “[They were starting to] advertise to women as consumers in their own right. Before when women would appear in advertisements it was like for the mother or wife that is consuming on behalf of the family…what you start to see in the 20’s is the businesses start to realize, with the success of World War I propaganda, they could really use advertising to create new desires, new markets, and new consumers and they really use a lot of persuasive imagery and text in advertisements in the 20’s to convey the message to women that they can be independent consumers, which is very profitable for businesses.”

Crispin-Peralta said that she found this topic inherently fascinating. Dinces came at this from the angle that there are a lot of interesting problems and debates happening now and the same issues and movements that happened then can be added onto the movements and issues happening now. 

Not only was there a pandemic 100 years ago, there was also a lot of racial violence when the world was coming out of WWI. There is also a shared tendency now that was present in the 20’s where people want to give themselves a break from politics, Dinces said

Part of the 1920’s was the women’s movement. Which, compared to the women’s marches that have been happening since 2017, there is a major difference. While the 1921 goal of feminism was achieved, it was only really achieved for middle-class white women. Whereas the women’s march is not “a middle-class white woman’s movement” Crispin-Peralta said. 

“Even though there was openness in the Harlem Renaissance [in the 20’s] that was such a niche little spot where that could happen, and even there it wasn’t always space…but now there is a lot more acceptance of things that were considered risque in Harlem at that time,” Peralta said. 

An ideology Dinces brought up was the economic ideology, even though it ebbs and flows it is now always constant. The example that Dinces used was the Robinhood Gamestop instance, which in short, is normal people, not just stock brokers or hedge funds, buying stocks through apps like Robinhood and making money through it. Which is problematic because there is a mindset that because people have better technology, it won’t come crashing down, but that very much could still happen.

The professors each had one thing they hoped that students took away from the event. For Crispin-Peralta, she hopes to challenge the thought of gender issues being over. And for Dinces, it was a more in depth understanding of the 20’s.

First year students speak on possibly going back on-campus

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First year students speak on possibly going back on-campus

There are first year students at Long Beach City College who’ve never stepped foot on either the PCC or LAC campus. Two students speak on how they feel about the topic and whether they’d rather stay in an online environment or in-person classes during the pandemic. 

Online classes can have the beneficial freedom of going at your own pace for some courses. However, it is a challenge. 

Arianna Montes, a first year student, said, “A few issues of being online full time are the lack of structure, dealing with mental issues, trouble focusing and parents.”  

A common issue with first year students is missing out on college activities. Such as, “making new friends from a different city,” said Brooke Barrows, another first year LBCC student.

Barrows said, “I would like to go back but it would be weird to go back.” 

For instance, the college experience wouldn’t be the same. There would be extra safety precautions that would be taken to protect the students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In particular, first year students won’t be able to attend any major events, such as career fairs, or join a club day. 

“I think we shouldn’t go for all classes, maybe make classes shorter…limit the amount of people on campus and in class, mask regulation, and social distance,” said Montes

It seems students are willing to put themselves at risk, rather than stay in a full-time online environment. It’s difficult to stay motivated, and puts a lot of pressure on students that are just starting their college experience. 

All though everyone’s different, some ways to stay motivated are planning your day, journaling, yoga, working out, decluttering, and eating well. Keeping the mind and body healthy helps to keep focus.

Barrows mentions that it’s not ideal being in her room for long periods of time because it can be upsetting. To reduce any tension she goes hiking and then gets her homework done stress free.

Montes on the other hand stays motivated by seeing her friends do good in school, being well organized, planning ahead and spending time on the internet. 

Care kit drive makes effort to help the homeless

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Care kit drive makes effort to help the homeless

The John Fylpaa Leadership Institute (JFLI) has created a two-day Care Kit Drive in which people can donate supplies for the homeless. The first day of the event was on Tuesday, March 23.

JFLI is a seven-month program at Long Beach City College consisting of 20 students who come together to learn how to become civic leaders through the means of field trips, guest speakers, and community projects.

In this year’s project, JFLI has decided to collect hygienic product donations for the homeless community. They are asking for supplies such as toothpaste, disposable masks, 8 oz water bottles, and more.

The club has had a history of service projects, such as in 2019 when they created the Viking Closet which included toiletries, school supplies, and gently used clothes free for students in need. But this year’s cohort has chosen to focus on a group of citizens who have faced the most challenges.  

“The idea was to understand the situation we’re in right now with COVID-19,” said Hazar Diaz, a current JFLI member.  She also said, “Who’s one of the most vulnerable populations? The homeless. If they don’t have proper hygiene, they’re at risk.”

In January of 2020, there were reportedly 2,034 people classified as homeless in Long Beach, a 7% rise from the 2019 count.

In the past year as the city has been hit by COVID, members of JFLI, such as Esmeralda Medina, argue that this community of people have been let down by their city.

“Unfortunately, as the pandemic began, we saw… homeless people being kicked out of their area because supposedly they would be a risk to the other neighborhoods. In Long Beach, as well as other cities like LA, [homelessness] got worse,” said Medina. “There was so much vulnerability and instead of helping those people they were just driving them away from their homes.”

On Tuesday, cars lined up at the LAC Campus in Lot 1 and dropped off various requested supplies. This was also occurring while the Viking Vault was having their Grab-n-Go drive, a weekly event where students can pick up free groceries.

Derek Oriee is LBCC’s student activities advisor and serves as leader of JFLI’s 2020-2021 cohort. According to him, the Care Kit Drive’s donations will be going to the Long Beach Rescue Mission as well as to LBCC’s basic needs program.

Although this past year has been unlike any of the previous, the members of JFLI are making an effort to not let this delimit their community service.

“This program started online and has been online since, so it’s very difficult to get to know everyone on a personal level but we’ve made do with what we have access to,” said member Inioluwa Adeoluwa.  

The second day of the Care Kit Drive is scheduled for April 13th from 1pm-3pm in Lot 1 of the LAC Campus. JFLI is asking for prepackaged hygienic donations in large zip-close bags.

Any questions regarding the club or the donation drive can be sent to Derek Oriee at doriee@lbcc.edu.

NASA engineer discusses Mars 2020 mission

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NASA engineer discusses Mars 2020 mission

Over 70 students attended the Women’s Journey to Mars online Zoom event where NASA systems engineer Christine Louie spoke to LBCC students about her role, on March 22, as part of the Women’s History Month line of events. 

The event was hosted by LBCC physical science professors Loredana Vetere and Amy Fredericks. 

“(Space exploration) helps us learn more about the universe around us…and that helps us learn about our own planet,” said Fredericks. 

Louie works for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) located in Pasadena, California. She joined the Mars 2020 mission team in 2019, serves as part of the System Verification and Validation group, and is part of the Operation Mission Assurance Management group. 

Louie’s primary role in the Mars 2020 mission was in preparation and leading operational readiness tests. 

The Mars 2020 team rehearsed their roles multiple times during the operational readiness tests and practiced a stressful scenario in which the spacecraft experienced technical difficulties. 

Louie said that the tests ensured that the team was well prepared for any potential troubles. 

“We want to iron out all the kinks prior to landing, so by the time landing day comes, everything is smooth,” said Louie. 

The mission’s rover, Perseverance, and new demo helicopter, Ingenuity, were both manufactured at JPL. Perseverance and Ingenuity were then both launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on July 30, 2020. 

“It was such a great day, because of the pandemic we were able to watch from home. I had my entire living room set up and all the decorations behind me on the walls,” said Louie.  

The spacecraft took seven months to successfully land on the surface of Mars on February 18. Louie discussed the seven minutes of terror that led up to the spacecraft’s confirmed landing. 

The seven minutes of terror refers to the spacecraft’s entry, descent, and landing on Mars’ surface. “Throughout that seven minutes, we’re waiting to see if we’ve touched down or not,” said Louie. 

Mars 2020 used a brand new landing technique for the mission, called terrain relative navigation. With this technique, the spacecraft can sense rocky areas and is able to find a soft spot to land.

Ingenuity is set to take its first flight within the upcoming weeks. 

“We’re flying a helicopter on Mars, and if this works, this is the start of a new beginning. The next couple of weeks are going to be very, very exciting. It blows my mind that we were able to do this,” said Louie. 

Louie plans to continue to work for the Mars 2020 mission for the next few years. She is currently transitioning to a new position as mission assurance manager at JPL, and is looking forward to participating in NASA’s upcoming projects.

“Out there is all the unknown. I want to make history. I want to be there. I want to work on something that will help us get to Mars and live on Mars someday,” said Louie. 

“We are humans, it’s in our DNA. We want to explore…we need to know our place in the universe,” said Vetere.

NASA’s Mars 2020 mission is ongoing, and the Perseverance rover is currently roaming the surface of Mars to collect samples and capture photographs. 

To track the rover’s status or to learn more, click here. 

LBCC Alumnus, Duke Givens is named hall of fame honoree

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LBCC Alumnus, Duke Givens is named hall of fame honoree

Duke Givens is one of five honorees in the LBCC 2020 Hall of Fame, the nominees are recognized for their hard work and dedication. Duke Givens is a photographer, and social activist. He is a Long Beach native who attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in the 80’s.  

The LBCC Alumni association annually recognizes nominees for their talents, success and services within the local community.

“The Hall of fame is a way for us to remember those who have achieved their goals and also to be able to hear each of their stories. It’s an honor to be a part of this program. I love my job here at LBCC,” said Paula Barrow, Director of Alumni Relations and Development.

Barrow explained the good deeds of the 2020 Hall of Famer Duke Givens as an example of an outstanding candidate. Currently, he is giving back to the Long Beach community by contributing and helping the homeless.

Although Duke never joined a gang himself, he witnessed a lot of gang involvement around him in the Long Beach community. He watched and witnessed many young boys growing up with a lack of father figures.  

“Growing up in the East-Side of Long Beach during the 80’s, there was a lot of gang violence in the neighborhood and community,” said Givens. 

Givens grew up with a lot of talented and well known rap artists. Some of those artists are Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and his cousin Nate Dogg who are all Long Beach natives. 

Givens was one hundred percent confident in knowing that he wanted to escape the environment of violence facing a different war in Iraq instead of a war within the community. 

After graduating from Poly High School, Givens joined the United States Air Force in 1989. He had served for four years until he was released and discharged.

Givens said, “The Air Force motivated me to be a respectful young man and it molded me to have a lot of respect toward others.”

After his discharge, Givens enrolled in college at Long Beach City College Pacific Coast Campus and started his college education.

“My parents brought me a Canon AE-1 camera which was my first camera ever, and I was wondering why they gave it to me because I had no idea it would become my greatest passion,” said Givens.

He enrolled into a Black and White Photography class with professors Mickey Wilson and Niel Frances.

“LBCC was a big help because I was able to use my creativity with a camera,” said Givens. 

Duke fell in love with photography and his skills of using a camera. After his time spent at LBCC he created his first project, a calendar piece called Stop Gang Violence. The purpose of Stop Gang Violence is an obituary for the neighborhood in Long Beach during the time period of the 1990’s featuring Snoop, Warren G and Nate Dogg . It was meant to take action to reduce gang violence. 

In 1994, Duke shot one of Snoop Dogg’s album covers called Murder Was the Case. 

“I love capturing photos of my friends. People look at Snoop in various ways but I captured photos of him during the beginning of my photography career,” said Givens. 

He has a voice through his photos and wants to show people how they lived back then. 

During the starting of his career, Givens shot many photographs of his friend Snoop Dogg. There is a project called, The Early Years of Snoop Dogg by Givens, which was an exhibit that opened at MADE in Long Beach located at 240 Pine Ave, on Feb 20, 2016. His photo exhibit ran from February through the end of March.

A recent exhibit of Givens is the Power of Choice which deals with the comparisons of life, those who chose a wrong path in life and those positive people who chose civic governance to help the local community.

He describes this exhibit as a positive reflection to some, while also being stereotypically negative to a small portion of people. “They don’t want it to be told and portrayed in a negative aspect but it’s real life,” he said. He describes the photos in the exhibit as a living gallery.

“Power of Choice is the choice each individual makes in their life,” said Givens. 

Given’s Power of Choice exhibit can be found on display at the Liberal Arts Campus of Long Beach City College, in the administration building, T-1000. 

Givens said, “LBCC is more than a college, it is a city and has a diverse culture with incredibly amazing professors and faculty who continue to encourage and motivate the many generations to become leaders of the future and a bright tomorrow.”

Givens emphasized and explained that he wants young people, and teenagers to get inspired and motivated to take control of our own life, no matter our background or circumstances. We all have the power in order to choose who we want to become. 

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